My wife and I were having a discussion this morning about how much babies cost. My wife felt that the baby would need nothing but breast milk for the first 6 months and inexpensive clothes and an argos cot set, which I see being the ideal. I was much more cynical and felt that they are expensive to raise til they are about 17 and leave home.We are currently doing ok financially with about £200 a month spare cash. My wife feels we could afford to have a child, I disagree.What are your experiences financially with raising a child and how expensive/inexpensive was it?Thanks for all your answers so far they have been really helpful. I know I am not ready just yet, but I know I will be mentally ready very soon. I query the cost as I think deep down I want to do as good a job as my parents did with me. I dont want the child to have everything available i.e. designer cloths and all the gadgety learning tools. I just want it to have enough.

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my mum told me something when i was pregnant. no one can ever afford children you just manage its worth it. the most true words ne 1 ever spoke.is it a money issue or u just uing that to hide what u feel about having kids ?

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less than $100 US a week. sry i don't know how much that is where you are. they need more than clothes + breast milk. also need enough diapers for like a dozen changes a day (every couple hours) and medical stuff.

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no one can ever afford to have children, you can make it as expensive or as cheap as you like. there are plently of ways to make it cheaper for yourselves eg try buying clothes from supermarkets etc. you also put your childs needs before your own so forget about the new shoes you fancy or a night out, is the issue here that your not ready for children just yet and your using the money issue as a way to get out of it, be honest with yourself, children are hard work, they make you laugh but they also make you cry. if you really want them then money shouldnt be an issue.. good luck

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When you have a baby you just make do. The government will help towards costs if you are on a low income. they can top up your income, pay for milk, vitamins and even fruit and vegtables. But you need to check what you would be entitled to.Its such a joy to have a baby, that money really becomes insignificant. Baby feed costs around £6 (say one tin a week), nappies are £5 each for the disposables (2/3 packs a week) Baby wipes are around £2.69 for well known brands (2/3 packs a week)....so your looking at £25 for essentials per week AT MOST. All the other stuff you buy as a one off. for example the cot etc.But thoase are for the well nown brands, you can buy cheaper store name brands. At the end of the day, you can wait a lifetime to be in a better financial situation...and that day may never come. So why waste the opportunity to bring such joy? The question is not whether you are financialy able, its whether you are emotionally able.Good luck in your choices.

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